Diamond No Ace: The Strongest Hitter

Chapter 34: The Starting Point

"I suddenly realized that maybe I've been a bit too impatient. My teammates are just ordinary people; they're not like me! I should set aside the practice games for now. At this rate, we can't even be considered a proper team. This might be my oversight for not having the pitchers and catchers train together for months," Sendo spoke into the phone that night.

"That's not entirely true. Instead of rushing them to form a makeshift team, it's better to use this opportunity to thoroughly train them. At least your teammates haven't developed any bad habits, right? That's all thanks to you."

"Think about it: if they had formed a team for the sake of competition and continued their rough training, it would be difficult to correct those habits later. This way is good; it's enough. Trust yourself!"

"They may be ordinary, and I haven't seen them myself."

"But… if you know there are shortcomings in their abilities, shouldn't you rely on expertise to close the gap?"

"This is just middle school softball. Unless they're true prodigies—bakemono (this term typically describes true geniuses, or "monsters"; other terms tend to mean someone you can't beat, so you call them a monster)—the gap between those with talent and those without is not as big as you might think. Don't rush; focus on your steps! Move forward one step at a time!"

"Thank you, O-san (uncle)!"

"No, you're just too impatient. You already understand these principles; you just can't see clearly because you're too deep in it!"

"Treasure this time!!!!!"

"Working hard and thinking together with your teammates will become lifelong memories for you all! There's nothing more precious than that, is there? The dreams of youth are truly dazzling! Remember, winning and losing are part of baseball, and crying and laughing are part of youth!"

"This is the most difficult sport in the world, but also the most exhilarating. That's why it's the best sport. And student baseball is the best of all!"

"It embodies the dreams of young people: crying together, laughing together, and striving together. Watching these kids grow around me makes me feel like I'm back at the starting point, reminding me of my own childhood when I fought every day for my dreams! Those moments can bring tears to your eyes; there are just too many wonderful memories."

"As for you, I don't have any particularly good advice. Whether you cry or laugh, that's all part of these three years, right?"

"Partners… huh?"

"I can somewhat understand why the coach refused to stay in America to become a major league coach and why he rejected what you call professional high school baseball. Elementary school kids are the purest, chasing after the ball as if it's everything to them!"

"That's right, I've found my place. But your life is just beginning."

"Right now, you have the purest teammates, who believe in you through your daily exhausting training. They may lack talent, but they hope to achieve results and do something with their teammates!"

"In the future, you'll meet all kinds of people, but this special experience will always be irreplaceable."

"..." Sendo fell silent, quietly gazing at the starry sky outside the window.

Suddenly, he understood why Fumino, who had always followed him, loved the night sky. It was vast and seemed like he could merge into it; that feeling was enchanting.

"Keep it up! From the first day I saw you, I've wanted to say that the God of Baseball chose you. If you choose baseball in the future, I look forward to the day your name rings out across the world!!!"

"I believe that when that time comes, baseball fans all over the world will cheer and worship your reign!"

"I believe that you will make the name 'Sendo Akira' forever remembered in baseball history, becoming a legend like no other!!!"

"But regardless of whether you choose baseball, you will find your own place in the future, and I will always support you!!! So, with that, goodnight!" With that, Coach Nakani hung up the phone.

"That was pointless! I can't believe you've had such expectations of me all along."

"The future… huh?"

"Will I be able to attain what I want?"

As Sendo gazed at the starry sky, tears fell without him realizing it. Neither he nor Coach Nakani knew whether he would choose baseball in the future.

However, Sendo couldn't ignore Coach Nakani's feelings. The coach had never demanded that he play baseball; he only hoped for Sendo's growth and wondered what kind of person he would become in the future—nothing more.

Sendo was searching for something, pursuing his goals, and Coach Nakani simply wished for him to achieve whatever it was he was striving for.

While Coach Nakani didn't know what Sendo was chasing, he understood that, like when he was young and foolishly chased after the ball he loved, Sendo also had something he deeply desired. That was enough.

It was like how parents hope their children grow into the people they wish for them to be—that alone is sufficient!

"!!... What? I thought you were asleep!" At that moment, Fumino's voice came from the corridor outside, and she naturally opened the door to speak to Sendo.

"You're right, O-san! (uncle) No matter how the future unfolds, this life I'm living now might be the most precious of my entire life. I won't waste time letting it drift by; I'll cherish this period. It has nothing to do with whether I'm being lazy or not! Haha!" Sendo muttered to himself, having stared at the sky for what felt like an eternity.

His mood shifted, and he chuckled lightly as he heard Fumino's voice, a warm smile on his face.

"What's going on?"

"Of course, I'm studying! Learning!"

"Soka, (I see!) Let's go to your room!"

"What happened? Why are you being so gentle when I asked you for help?"

"Stop being annoying! Do you want me to teach you or not?"

"Mhm, mhm, mhm!" Fumino nodded cutely in response.

"Honestly, I can't deal with you! How many times do I have to explain it before you get it?" With that, he led Fumino out of the room. If anyone had been left in the room, they would surely have heard the warm exchange between the two!

"A lot of times! Because I know you won't abandon me!"

"Don't act like a little puppy!"

"You're the puppy! A little puppy! Woof! Woof!"

"Haha!"

There's nothing more heartwarming than this, is there?

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